More than 7 million defective airbags manufactured by Takata Corporation have been recalled because they can emit shrapnel when they violently deploy in an automobile crash. The airbags were installed in cars manufactured by Acura, BMW, Chrysler, Ford, GM, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru and Toyota.
Take note of the most recent developments in the Takata airbag recall and follow the timeline of events here:
Nov. 25, 2014
Senate members press for documents related to Takata’s recall of defective airbags which has impacted roughly eight million cars to date. This request followed testimony before the Senate from drivers and passengers who had suffered horrific facial and neck injuries from Takata airbags. In contrast to the clear accusations of these victims, Takata’s vice president’s answers were evasive and unsatisfactory.
Nov. 20, 2014
U.S. Senate hearing to uncover more information about Takata’s airbag defects and vehicle recalls. In addition to testimony from Takata and victims, NHTSA, Honda and Chrysler appeared. Honda and Chrysler have installed Takata airbags in their U.S. vehicles.
Nov. 13, 2014
Honda admits that an unidentified woman was found in Malaysia in July with shrapnel in her neck after an accident in a car fitted with one of the recalled airbags. This is the fifth fatality recognized by the automaker.
Nov. 7, 2014
New York Times reports that two former Takata employees allege the company destroyed evidence related to secret tests conducted on airbags that discovered cracked and faulty inflators.
Oct. 30, 2014
Takata is obligated to answer questions under oath in an internal probe to be headed by the NHTSA.
Oct. 29, 2014
U.S. Department of Transportation launches formal investigation of NHTSA following criticism over the way the agency handled Takata airbag complaints over the years.
Oct. 27, 2014
The first case seeking class-action status is filed in Florida. Plaintiffs allege that defendants Takata, Honda, Toyota and more hid important evidence related to product defects.
Oct. 20, 2014
Toyota recalls 247,000 vehicles in the nation for Takata airbag issues.
July 16, 2014
BMW recalls approximately 1.6 million vehicles across the globe; expands regional recall.
June 23, 2014
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Honda, Nissan and Mazda recall 2.95 million vehicles, expanding the April 2013 recall, bringing the total recall to about 10.5 million vehicles over five years. Later, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, BMW, Chrysler and Ford say they are recalling more vehicles in some U.S. high humidity regions at NHTSA’s request to replace Takata air bag inflators.
June 12, 2014
The NHTSA opens an investigation into 1.1 million vehicles in the U.S. from five automakers for problems with airbags that may rupture during deployment.
June 11, 2014
Toyota expands prior recall to 2.27 million vehicles globally; adding 650,000 previously not recalled in Japan, and 1.62 million overseas for a second time.
Dec. 24, 2009
Gurjit Rathore is killed in Virginia when the airbag in a 2001 Honda Accord explodes after a minor accident, severing arteries in her neck, court documents show. The family sues Honda and Takata for more than $75 million in April 2011, alleging the company had knowledge of the airbag problems as early as 2004. Court records show that Honda and Takata settle in January 2013 for $3 million.
July 29, 2009
Honda issues recall for 510,000 Civics and Accords as well as Acura 3.2 TL cars worldwide for Takata problems.
Nov 4, 2008
Honda recalls Accords and Civics fitted with Takata airbags over concerns the inflators may cause the airbag to rupture, potentially impaling passengers with shards of metal debris.
May 27, 2008
Oklahoma teenager Ashley Parham dies when the airbag in her 2001 Honda Accord explodes, shooting metal fragments into her neck. Honda and Takata deny fault and settle for an undisclosed sum.
Cory Watson Attorneys is representing individuals injured or killed in crashes involving defective airbags. View a complete list of vehicle makes and models involved in the Takata airbag recall here.